Worlds!!!

Update... Finally

2009-07-23T00:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay on the update everyone. The night of the Genk race we did not get back to the hotel until 12:30am. So needless to say I was pooped! I got up at 9am yesterday to eat breakfast, then got back to my room and went to bed until noon! It felt great. We went to dinner in downtown Antwerp last night, and had great food! Then we took a walk down to the red light district. That was fun, odd, but fun. On our way back to the car from there, it started pouring rain on us! We waited in assorted spots under overhangs for about 30 minutes before we said screw it, and made a run for it. LOL

So on to the race update... That water was absolutely stupid to be skiing through! It was bigger than the ocean. I crashed 3 times. I went end over end twice, and in on my side another time. It was pure survival. I did things, and skied through things that I had no clue I could do! 95% of the women skiing the race fell at least once. Most fell two or more times. It was scary being in the water, because all of the waves were about 3 feet over your head at the very least. Up to 5/6 feet in some areas. My neck is a bit sore from the falls, but it could be worse. I think I'm the only person on our team who fell that didn't need ice, or get banged up too bad.

I'm still a solid 9th out of 16 Women's F2 entries, but I'm only 300 points out of the top three. All that has to happen is for someone to make a mistake, and I will be in the top 3. 300 points is nothing in our races. So that is exciting. And the USA Formula 2 team is still in first place!!! WOOT WOOT! On our way to being World Champions again!

Here are some links to fun things you guys may like...

My pictures of the men's race: Photos Here

Women's Gent Race (1st race): Here

Women's Genk Race (2nd race): Here

Men's Genk Race (2nd race): This is an awesome race!

Here's a photo from the Genk race:

Hope you all enjoy the photos and videos!

Antwerp is the next race. That should be a race closer to our kind of water. Hopefully we can kick some more ass!

Update on first race at Gent

2009-07-20T02:05:00.000-07:00

Well all I can say is WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!! This is the roughest water I've ever skied in. Oh, and did I mention there's like 90% sewage in the water we're skiing in? So yeah, that's a little bit nasty. Just to give you an idea of how thing started out for me, here we go...

On the 16th we had scrutineering, and I was going to be skiing behind a boat from here in Belgium. All of my gear and equipment passed inspection so I was doing good there. All of the safety stuff passed on my boat, and now it was to the motor inspection. In the Formula 2 class there are restrictions for the engine size, type, and no modifications can be made to the motor. Well, the motor ended up being illegal on my boat. It was too old for the type of motor it had, and it had modifications. So I did not get a practice in like I should have, and I had to wait until 1pm the next day to get the official ruling on whether or not they were going to let the boat run! So that was a stressful beginning to the races. They did not allow my boat to run, so then we had to find me another boat to ski behind. Luckily there were 2 USA boats that were pulling men but not women for the race, so we asked Steve, and he said OK. So now it is the end of the day on the 17th. We start racing on the 19th. I still have not had a practice run, and we're running out of time. We had a parade at the race site on the 18th, and I was able to get a quick 2 lap practice run in. My observer has never seen me ski before, my driver has never pulled me before, and I've never skied behind this boat before. I have a lot of obstacles to overcome in this first race!

Now its the 19th, only a few hours away from the first race. I'm not nervous yet, but I know It's going to be tough, bumpy, and something I've never seen before. As I'm getting in the boat about 30 minutes before the start of the race, I start to get nervous. The start sequence is completely different than our in the USA, and a lot of chance for error. We cam up with a plan to make it as close to being like the US starts so I know the timing better. I made my start, so I'm thinking, OK this is cool, and we get through the first turn, it's a bit wider than the one by the start, and we get back down to the one by the start, and it is starting to get rough. All it did was get rougher from there. I ended up being one of the very few women to not fall in the race at all. I was 9th in my class. We played it safe for the first race, because we all had to learn eachother, and now we can start to step it up. Still, after all of that, I skied through stuff that I had no idea I could ski through. I jumped higher and farther than I ever thought I was able to. I have a GREAT team for these races, and I think we are going to end up doing very well here. The boat I'm skiing behind, my driver, and my observer are all awesome. Not once did I feel out of control, or worried about being hurt. I had a great time, and can't wait to do it again at the next race site tomorrow!

As of right now, the combined USA Women's and Men's F2 teams are in first place. But that is only after 1 race. There are still 3 left. Hopefully we can keep it together, and extend our lead on Australia even more, and be the Formula 2 World Champions again!!!

Now I'm off to find a waffle shop!

Photo Link

2009-07-19T15:51:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I'm way too pooped to update you guys right now, but... I can do something equally as good (better I think). Here are the pictures I took during the Men's race today at Gent. It was almost equally as rough in the women's race today. Check back tomorrow for an update!

Photo Link

Today is the day.

2009-07-18T22:01:00.000-07:00

First races are today. I'm a little nervous. I know if I make my start I will do very well. Staying on your feet, and not falling is a going to be huge here. The water gets so rough, it is truly just a game of survival. We will see how this all goes! Canal racing is a whoooooole different world!

And I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who checks up on me here, and continues to! You are great support, and I thank you for it. :)

I'll let you guys know how I did later!

Opening Ceremonies

2009-07-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

We had the Opening Ceremonies today. IT was FREEZING! It was about 80* and sunny off and on yesterday, and it was about 60*, windy, and cloudy today. So it was miserable. We were in mini dresses, and boy was it cold!

The race site has 20' walls on both sides of it and is only about 200 meters wide. So with 25 women's competitors it is going to get bumpy fast!

So here's some pictures from today! Enjoy!!!

Go team 373!!!

Chocolate... MMMMMMMM!

2009-07-17T04:57:00.000-07:00

So I got some chocolate at the market today... Now I know why people rave about it so much! I got milk chocolate with hazel nuts in it, and oh my! Is it good! It is so creamy, and sweet, and smooth. MMMM! That's all I can say. So for 24 euro, I got a good amount of food today... I got rolls, ham, salami, 8 yogurts, chocolate, and more chocolate, 2 cases of water, a beer to try, 6 bananas, two apples, and a six pack of Pepsi. Not bad I don't think... Check it out:

So here are a few pictures from scrutineering (sp?) yesterday... Didn't get many, but it gives you an idea of what the course is. This is Viersel. Home of the world famous diamond race. This is where the final race will be held. If you win that one, I believe they are still doing it like hte Diamond race, you win an actual diamond. It is a skier, and a three blade prop with a diamond in the center of the prop. Pretty freaking cool! LOL

So check them out:

Well, keep checking back for more updates! We're going go karting tonight! And I'm going to try to go to the Cathedral of Our Lady. It's the largest cathedral in all of Belgium. I'm a bit afraid to go driving alone, so I'm trying to find someone to help me out and go with me. Hopefully I'll have pictures of that tomorrow!

Friday...

2009-07-16T22:31:00.000-07:00

We start racing the day after tomorrow. Hopefully today I will get a little practice in just to be used to the tight turns, and I'll be done until we race. We have opening ceremonies and a parade to do tomorrow, so my day will be consumed with that tomorrow.

I'll check back in later today to let you guys know how it's going! I'm off to get breakfast. Yes, you guys are just going to bed, and I'm just waking up... LOL

Burger, Fries, and Carbonated Tea?

2009-07-15T12:41:00.000-07:00

Just got done with my dinner here... I've had the sparkling iced tea from the states, and it is nothing like the sparkling iced tea I had today. It is really good! They even gave it to me in a glass with ice and a lemon wedge. Very good. And my burger, was pretty good. The meat over here tastes different, but not a bad different. But, unlike at home, there is nothing but meat, and a bun for your burger. LOL Wasn't expecting that. Anyway, the burger, fries, and side salad were good. I used the salad on my burger. LOL

Well everyone, it is 10pm here right now, and I have to get my gear ready for inspection tomorrow, and get to bed. Check back tomorrow for more updates!

Here... Finally!

2009-07-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

Well I've made it. This country is beautiful. When you are flying into Brussels you see these lush green landscapes, with white houses that have high peaked red roofs. The food? EXCELLENT! I have only been here a few hours (and slept most of it) but it is great. I'm really looking forward to this.

I just wanted to stop in briefly to let you all know I've made it...

Oh yeah, for those of you following this from So. Cal, we are 9 hours ahead of you here! :)

2009 Entry list below.

2009-07-13T18:10:00.001-07:00

I guess yo ucan tell I'm a bit turbo right now... I can't even make sense of what I want to say!!! LOL

Getting Closer!!!

2009-07-13T18:07:00.000-07:00

I leave at 7:55am tomorrow. I don't have much time to get my stuff together now! Just doing some last minute packing done, and off I go!

I'll post up the entry list in a few hours once I've got everything done... :)

Catalina Practice

2009-07-05T16:57:00.000-07:00

Well, Worlds is fast approaching now, and the Catalina Ski Race is upon us too. In less than a week we will be making hte 52 mile round trip to Avalon and back from the Queen Mary. Then just 3 days later, we are off for Belgium. Seemed like Worlds was so far off not too long ago. Now it is coming up so fast. With the blink of an eye it will be here.

Please stay tuned for more updates, as I do the countdown to Worlds, adn update you on the Catalina Ski Race.